Annie Besant (1846 - 1933)

Annie Besant was born in London on October 1, 1847. Her father, William P. Wood, passed away when she was eight years old. Following the death of the head of the family, Annie's mother ran a boarding house and used the income to fund Annie's education. Her mother, a devout woman, married a clergyman named Frank Besant in 1866; however, the marriage was short-lived. In 1879, Annie graduated with a first-class M.Sc. degree in Botany from the University of London. Her association with a Russian woman named Blavatsky led her to become a member of the Theosophical Society. The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875, and its activities in India began in 1878. Annie participated as a representative of the Theosophical Society at the World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in September 1893. She arrived in India that same year. Returning to India in 1896, she introduced the Scout movement in local educational institutions, including schools and colleges.

Olcott was the founding president of the Theosophical Society. After his death, Annie Besant served as the organization's president until the end of her own life. Becoming active in Indian politics from 1914 onwards, she advocated for India's independence. She possessed deep knowledge of Hindu culture and was greatly drawn to Indian culture and traditions. She launched the "Home Rule League" movement with the assistance of Lokmanya Tilak. She rendered invaluable services in the fields of education and social welfare through the Theosophical Society. She presided over the 1919 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress. A journalist by profession, she also served as the editor of the publication "New India." She played a significant role in expanding the Scout movement in India. After living in retirement at Adyar, Madras, since 1931, she passed away on September 20, 1933, at the age of 86.